BIOGRAPHYColin played in the back-pocket and as a half-back. He was a courageous defender who was not afraid to back his judgement and attack the football. He spent seven seasons at Hawthorn as well as representing the state twice. He was Hawthorn’s first ‘Brownlow Medalist after the VFL awarded retrospective medals to players who lost under the count-back system. He had tied with South Melbourne’s Ron Clegg, in 1949. Clegg was voted best on the ground six times to Colin’s five. Colin also missed two games that year through an injury. He was Hawthorn’s vice captain between 1947 and 1949 and won the Best and Fairest award in 1949 and was second in 1946.

At the end of the 1949 season, he quite Hawthorn after that club sacked their playing-coach Alec Albiston. Colin had backed Albiston and as a result of Albiston’s treatment he joined Richmond. He then spent three seasons with the Richmond Seniors finishing fourth in the 1951 Best and Fairest. He then took over as playing-coach of Richmond Reserves leading them to consecutive Premierships in 1954 and 1955. He also won the 1953 ‘Gardiner medal’ as the VFL Reserves Best and Fairest. Colin then coached Box Hill for four seasons and in 1958 he coached the VFA State side. After retiring, he became actively involved around the club and with the Former Players. Colin was made a Life Member of the Richmond Football Club in 1995, shortly before his death in early October. His brother Bert played six games for Hawthorn in 1942.